As he highlighted his government’s plans as laid out in the Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis was critical of the Free National Movement (FNM) for “choosing politics over country” and pledged “serious leadership for serious times”.
“The campaign is over; the people have spoken,” Davis said in the House of Assembly.
“What they are owed now is the serious work of governing, and that work cannot be drowned out by the spectacle of those who keep choosing politics over country.
“The Bahamian people have already sent their message to every member who would downplay good news and welcome the bad, those who would oppose for the sake of opposing while offering no solutions of their own, and those who would treat this honorable house as a stage for performance rather than as the chamber where the future of this country is shaped.
“These are serious times, Madam Speaker, and serious times demand serious leadership.
“The time for clowning and performing is over. It is time to work together for the common good.”
The Davis-led Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was re-elected for a second term on May 12 — the first incumbent government to win an election in The Bahamas since the Ingraham-led FNM in 1997.
As he spoke yesterday, Davis’ pledges spanned many sectors, including the economy, healthcare, education, crime and more.
Cost of living was identified as a key issue needing continued attention.
While he noted efforts during his first term, including the lowering of the VAT rate and removal of the tax on unprepared foods and other essential items, Davis noted it is not enough.
“This term, we will aggressively go after the cost of living in whatever ways we can,” he said.
Immigration concerns, which emerged as prominent ahead of the election, due in part to concerns over passport fraud, prompted a strong promise of accountability from Davis.
“Nothing corrodes a nation’s trust faster than seeing the law broken without accountability,” he said.
“This is especially the case when it comes to our borders and our sovereignty.”
Immigration reform plans highlighted in the Speech from the Throne included the establishment of a national biometric immigration system; the establishment of an Immigration Fraud Intelligence Unit; the establishment of an e-verify platform that would confirm workers’ eligibility; the introduction of mandatory sentencing provisions for public officers who facilitate immigration or passport fraud; and the introduction of an Employer Immigration Compliance Act, which would impose stronger penalties for the abuse of the work permit system and other unlawful employment practices.
Davis yesterday warned, “To any public officer tempted to break the law for financial gain, especially when it comes to our national identification documents, hear me clearly: that offense will now carry substantial prison time.
“Our borders will be governed by law and order, and the law will apply to everyone, with no exceptions.”
As he highlighted his government’s plans, Davis called on the opposition to “meet this moment with the maturity it demands”.
“Where there is common ground, let’s stand on it,” he said.
“Where there is disagreement, let it be honest, and where there is work to be done, let’s do it together.”
Davis added, “We expect disagreement in this House because that is a part of the work of a parliament, but while disagreement belongs in this chamber, distraction does not.
“And the matters before us are far too important to be cheapened by anyone who is more interested in making noise than they are in making progress.”
